'''Flock''' is a [[cellular automaton]] with the rulestring B3/S12. It differs very strongly from [[Conway's Game of Life]] and similar automata. It was the third most searched rule on [[Catagolue]] in terms of the total number of objects censused as of late June 2016.

+

}}{{stub}}

+

'''Flock''' is a [[cellular automaton]] with the rulestring B3/S12. It differs very strongly from [[Conway's Game of Life]] and similar automata. It is the sixth most searched rule on [[Catagolue]] in terms of the total number of objects censused as of December 2018.

==Patterns==

==Patterns==

Due to the missing S3 survival condition and addition of the S1 survival condition, almost no patterns from Life are compatible with Flock and vice versa. Random starting [[soup]]s rapidly degenerate into [[domino]]es and still [[duoplet]]s. [[Tub]], [[beehive]], [[loaf]] and [[mango]] still work as expected, as do the infinite family of [[lake]]s (including [[small lake]] and its extended derivatives).

Due to the missing S3 survival condition and addition of the S1 survival condition, almost no patterns from Life are compatible with Flock and vice versa. Random starting [[soup]]s rapidly degenerate into [[domino]]es and still [[duoplet]]s. [[Tub]], [[beehive]], [[loaf]] and [[mango]] still work as expected, as do the infinite family of [[lake]]s (including [[small lake]] and its extended derivatives).

−

The rule, however, does share many features with rules such as [[2x2]] and [[Goat Flock]].

+

The rule, however, does share many features with rules such as [[2×2]] and [[Goat Flock]].

There are small p2 [[oscillators]] which resemble the [[ship]], [[long ship]] and [[very long ship]] when played, one of which looks like a [[bipole]] in one phase. This family of oscillators does not appear to be extendable.

There are small p2 [[oscillators]] which resemble the [[ship]], [[long ship]] and [[very long ship]] when played, one of which looks like a [[bipole]] in one phase. This family of oscillators does not appear to be extendable.

Both orthogonal and diagonal spaceships exist in this rule; of these, only one has occurred [[natural]]ly yet. [[David Eppstein]] lists two orthogonal period-4 c/4 ships and a diagonal period-8 c/4 ship; additionally, [[Josh Ball]] found a c/5 orthogonal ship.

{| style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"

{| style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"

Latest revision as of 01:18, 22 January 2020

Flock is a cellular automaton with the rulestring B3/S12. It differs very strongly from Conway's Game of Life and similar automata. It is the sixth most searched rule on Catagolue in terms of the total number of objects censused as of December 2018.

Contents

Patterns

Due to the missing S3 survival condition and addition of the S1 survival condition, almost no patterns from Life are compatible with Flock and vice versa. Random starting soups rapidly degenerate into dominoes and still duoplets. Tub, beehive, loaf and mango still work as expected, as do the infinite family of lakes (including small lake and its extended derivatives).

The rule, however, does share many features with rules such as 2×2 and Goat Flock.

Familiar fours

Despite the vastly different behaviour of patterns, some patterns can still settle naturally into familiar fours and related constellations. One, for example, is called flock, a constellation of four duoplets, which evolves from a 3x3 square of cells as in the traffic light sequence. Another familiar four is known as radiator, composed of four dominoes.

Spaceships

Both orthogonal and diagonal spaceships exist in this rule; of these, only one has occurred naturally yet. David Eppstein lists two orthogonal period-4 c/4 ships and a diagonal period-8 c/4 ship; additionally, Josh Ball found a c/5 orthogonal ship.

Two orthogonal c/4 ships (Eppstein's 14679 and 14839).

A diagonal period-8 c/4 ship (Eppstein's 10618).

An orthogonal c/5 ship found by Josh Ball.

Oscillators

Many oscillators occur naturally in this rule. There are many extremely common p2 and p4 oscillators. p3 oscillators are somewhat rare but have been observed.

Oscillators with higher periods have been known to occur naturally. One of the most common of these is the Tetris shuttle, consisting of a tetromino (which is a beehive grandparent in normal Life) being hassled by two dominoes. There is also a p9 which is a bit less common, along with one occurrence of a p7.